For a great description of their trip to the Peloponnese see the link below in the CRC feed.
Marlies van der Hurk writes…
At 8am in the morning the sun was out – but so was the wind. It sounded as if it was quite strong and suddenly the idea of a day’s cycling didn’t seem hugely sensible or appealing: flooded roads, strong wind, potholes – an enticing prospect? But then there were 11 eager, keen and enthusiastic riders at the usual meeting point, so there was no longer any question or doubt about what to do.
The start of the route was slightly hilly, up and down through Rowledge to Frensham, then to Churt and across the A3 at Thursley. We then went uphill again towards Bowlhead Green. A very pretty road and quiet too – we hardly met any traffic on this section. Then it was on to Witley Station where we picked up another member of the group. The footbridge over the tracks at Witley Station is back in action so we followed the more direct but off-road path to the bridge. It was a bit muddy, unsurprisingly, but just about cyclable. From Witley it was a quick cycle to the lunch stop: the Crown Inn at Chiddingfold. A table for 8 people had been booked – February ride numbers are always difficult to predict! – and the landlord had to squeeze 13 of us around a table for 10. The pub is old and beautiful, both inside and out. We got a friendly welcome, the space around the table was perfectly comfortable and both food and service were good. Certainly a pub to recommend. On the way back via Hambledon we had to peddle through some pretty large puddles, though even larger ones were waiting for us on the approach to Milford station – no chance of keeping feet dry! Closer to Farnham the road past Elstead was either closed or completely flooded, so we went via Shackleford and the Sands. We were blessed with more sunshine in the afternoon and got back to Farnham in good time. All in all, an enjoyable ride!
John Murdoch writes…
You will recall that there was some discussion at the recent AGM regarding insurance cover, and I thought that it would be useful to set out the position insofar as you, as ride leaders, are concerned.
The basic position is that you, as ride leader, are covered on rides against any claim made against you or the Member group (West Surrey) for injury or damage caused to a third party (e.g. any other rider, any other road user, pedestrian etc). I think that we can agree that it is essential that this cover is in place.
The conditions for it to be in place are:-
1. You are a fully paid up member of CTC
2. You have been registered by your Member Group as a volunteer ride leader
3. The ride is run in accordance with any guidance issued by CTC, and in particular that you are aware of all participants on the ride, either through collection of name and CTC membership number or by completion of an entry form.
For riders, CTC members are covered by their standard third party cover, and legal claims advice.
Provided they have filled in a CTC Guest Registration Form for CTC Rides, non CTC members are also covered purely for the duration of the ride and also only against claims made against them by a CTC member on the ride (interestingly, our subs pay for this cover!). In all cases, non CTC members are not covered for their own injuries nor for any damages they may inflict to a third party other than another club member (car, pedestrian, etc.) whilst on a ride; this is why the CTC form requests them to obtain their own insurance.
It is essential that ride leaders know their riders and request every non CTC member (including former members with lapsed membership) to fill in the CTC form prior to the start of a ride. This is to protect our members who have duly paid their memberships; in the event of an accident where the non CTC member is responsible and this latter is not known to us then our injured member will almost certainly have no recourse by a successful claim (the non member would have to be traced, and would have to have funds or their own insurance; very unlikely).
CTC’s “guideline” is therefore that there should not be more than 10 non members on any one ride, nor should a non member participate in a CTC ride more than 3 times. Although this is expressed as a “guideline”, in view of the conditions above for ride leaders, and the need to run any ride in accordance with CTC “guidance”, I consider that it is essential for it to be followed, in order that your own cover remains in place.
From this, there are simple things that we as a club, and you as ride leaders, must do.
1. The club (Secretary) must ensure that all ride leaders are current CTC members and registered as ride leaders; I can assure you that this is being done. There is no specific requirement for training to be provided, but we feel that the manner in which we consider those who we put forward to be ride leaders, and the workshop planned for the New Year, are sensible arrangements, and fully cover us in any event.
2. You, as ride leader, must collect names and CTC membership numbers for all riders and forward your list on a monthly basis to the club secretary who will spot check membership (this protects you, as simply the existence of a CTC card does not guarantee current paid up membership; cards are sent out upon renewal before any payment is made, and if payment is not made, those cards will be kept by the non member for a year)
3. If any rider is a non member, then they must complete an entry form (basic form attached, there are further ones on the CTC website if parental consent is required) at the start of a ride. As a ride leader, you should always carry blank registration forms. Completed forms should be sent to the club secretary together with your ride lists (see 2. above)
4. You should not permit any non member to take part in a ride more than 3 times. I acknowledge that there is a problem here insofar as you may not know if they have previously ridden with other groups in the Club, but sending forms to the club secretary (see 3. above) should solve this one. In any event you should be encouraging them to join well before they get to ride number 3.
5. You should not lead a ride with more than 10 non members taking part (bearing in mind the need to follow point 4 above, this is unlikely to happen, but is still important).
Ride leaders and back markers are invited to attend a workshop on 8 March. Below is an explanation as to what people should get out of it. Lunch at the pub follows afterwards, and the club is stumping up for the first round. Not that bribery should be necessary to induce you to come because it should be a very interesting, not to mention useful, morning. Organiser Brian Ross would appreciate being advised if you intend to come.
Brian Ross writes…
We ride in groups to be with friends and to make new friends. I hope this workshop will develop the friendships between those who have volunteered to lead groups and be back markers by helping each other make the responsibilities easier and the difficulties more manageable.
Thanks to everyone who has given us their thoughts on workshop content. We’ve already enough material for at least three workshops, which we’ve split into thee main areas:
We ride under the banner of the CTC, which brings in a bit of bureaucracy. By hearing how other ride leaders manage the admin, you can choose how you are going to cope with it in future. Additionally, none of us wants conflict, but how could we handle the rider who won’t cooperate with the bureaucracy?
Everybody wants to ride as freely as possible, but group riding brings in some mutual responsibility. Skills for group riding are additional to those for riding on your own, may not be obvious, and can only be learnt when riding in a group. How do we help/educate existing and new riders?
If one of the group is in trouble for any reason, someone has to take charge – often the ride leader. We shall ask you to think through and discuss what you might do, in what order, for one scenario, so that we’ll all be better prepared.
The plan for the morning:
10.00 Doors open at The Bird in Hand, Mayford, GU22 0NL
10.15 Introduction
10.20 Discussion 1 – lead by Liz Palethorpe, John Sadler & Brian Ross
10.50 Tea, coffee, biscuits
11.00 Discussion 2 – move to a different group
11.30 Discussion 3 – move to third group
12.00 Closing session
12.15 Adjourn to the bar
Liz will referee the “trouble scenario”, John the group riding skills and I the admin.
Please don’t forget to advise Brian of your intention to attend.